KEY SCRIPTURE: 1Sam 31:2 KJV “And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul’s sons.”

Please read 1st Samuel 31:1-6

Saul, out of his ego, refused to accept the will of God. It was a known secret by almost every Israeli citizen that David had been appointed by the Lord to be the next king. King Saul did everything within his power to render it impossible. Sadly, he could not fight God. He paid so dearly with his own life, all his sons, including Jonathan, who was seen by Saul as the next king. Should Jonathan have died at such a time? I think he should not have died, but because he chose to stand by the Father, he was punished with him.

Jonathan knew very well that his father had fallen out of faith with God. Consider the fact that he had to kill so many priests just because David came to see Ahimelech the priest. Jonathan had to stay away from such an enemy of God to team up with David. Dear one, do not join the man who clearly shows that he hates the way of God. God’s judgement would come on such a person, and anyone who is with him would surely be punished along with him.

Israel, according to God’s promise to Abraham, should always possess the gates of their enemies (Gen 22:17)

They were never to be defeated by their enemies. Sadly, they were chased by the Philistines, and many were slain. Israel, through the covenant with the Lord, was one with the Lord.

They were never to be defeated in any battle. Their defeat was God’s defeat, and the Lord should not, nor ever be defeated. As the monarch of the universe, he remained the Lord of creation and the king of Kings. The sins of Saul had severed him and the whole of Israel. Isa 59:1 KJV Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

Dear child of God, choose always to do that which pleases the Lord. Be careful of the kind of associations you make. Is the leader of your church serving God or himself? Be fully certain that your association is not out of touch with God.

Consider the following signs to know if your leader is pursuing God’s way or his own.

1. Does he condemn all other men of God, claiming he is the only true man of God?

2. Does he sell various objects as anointing 1 Tim 3:3

3. Does he teach sound doctrine?

4. Is he the husband of one wife? 1st Tim 3:2

5. Is Christ the central person or himself in his messages?

6. Does he talk about evangelism and winning souls? Matt 28:19, 20

7. Does he bear the fruit of the Spirit Gal 5:22,23

8. Does he charge to pray for the sick?

If your answers were yes for about four or above in the above questions, then you may be dealing with a wrong man of God. Run away for your life.

PRAYER

Oh Father, help us to truly discern the truthfulness of the man of God we are relating with, whether they be true or false

FURTHER STUDIES

Phi 3,4:18 KJV (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

2 Pet 2:3 KJV And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.